Fatal collision on hazardous road sparks concerns

A MAN died yesterday after his van careered through a central reservation wire barrier and collided head on with a lorry.

The accident happened yesterday morning on the main Dublin to Belfast road just south of Dundalk, one of the most dangerous stretches of roads in the State.

It occurred three miles south of the Co Louth town, at Whiterath, Dromiskin.

The death of the man, in his thirties and from Lisburn in the North, highlights once again concerns about the lack of a proper barrier dividing the carriages on the road.

Three people died in similar circumstances on the same stretch of road last summer. Local politicians have repeatedly called for a concrete or steel barrier to be placed down the centre of the road.

The yellow van was being driven north along the dual carriageway shortly after 10am when the man lost control after clipping a vehicle in front of him.

The van spun off the road, through the barrier and collided with the lorry heading south. The lorry driver was shocked but otherwise uninjured.

The southbound lanes closed for a time yesterday morning as gardaí investigated the crash before clearing the road.